Simply Trusting
Scripture Reading — Matthew 1:24-25
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
—Matthew 1:24
Sometimes it is not too difficult to know how to make decisions that follow God’s desires. We know how God wants us to act when we are faced with temptations to lie, steal, gossip, or cheat. Our struggle enters in when we don’t want to obey.
Joseph’s struggle over the matter of Mary’s pregnancy was not that he was unwilling to obey God. He didn’t understand at first what he should do. Without the revelation he received from the angel, there was no way Joseph could have figured out that Mary was pregnant with the Messiah, and that God wanted Joseph to be the adoptive father of Jesus.
When we don’t understand what we should do, we seek help and advice from experts. If I am diagnosed with cancer, I need the help of an oncologist. If I am being sued in court, I need an attorney. If I hear a rattle in my truck engine, I need a mechanic.
When Joseph heard from God, he paid attention. Despite what Mary’s pregnancy might seem to be, he knew he could trust God as the expert. Joseph put his faith in the right place, even if the whole situation seemed improbable. In this way he trusted, obeyed, and was used by God to be part of the process of redeeming his people.
In what ways has God called you to simply trust him?
Holy Spirit, grant me the ability to discern when and where you are leading me. And please grant me the faith to obey your guidance. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
About the author — Bill Sytsma
Bill Sytsma is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (M.Div) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (D.Min). He is the author of the book Follow the Leader and is serving as the pastor of New Life Christian Reformed Church in Highland, Indiana. He and his wife, Staci, have hosted support groups for families built through adoption. He and Staci are the proud parents of three active boys: Luke, Isaac, and Nico.
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